By Marty Camacho
March 7th – The Pirates finish the regular season with a 19-11 record, topping last season’s 15-14 standing.
The Pirates’ performance granted them the right to the play-in game to qualify for the FCSAA tournament. They played against St. Petersburg College in the play-in and emerged victorious with a final score of 72-64 to guarantee their first appearance in the tournament in a decade. Pirates’ center Dimitri Clerc stood out against St. Petersburg as he recorded 19 points and 12 rebounds to help the Pirates book their spot in the tournament, which will be held at Niceville, FL, from March 13th to 15th.
The Pirates center had a prolific season, enough to receive offers from several D1 colleges. “I feel really happy about it,” Clerc said of the offers he received. “But, I don’t really think about it right now, you know, we’re in season, I’ll enjoy myself after everything is done.”
Clerc was proud of their last performance – “We played very good as a team,” Clerc commented on their performance against St. Petersburg. “We played together and we are all happy about it [qualifying for the FCSAA].”
Head coach Pete Pena attributes this season’s improvement to the players’ exceptional mindset and attitude, exemplified through Clerc’s comments about their last game. “This year, we’re just a little bit deeper with the players,” Coach Pena answered when asked about the factors that helped them improve this season. “But I think the [players’] attitude more than anything, and of sacrifice, and [the players thinking] what’s best for the Pirates [was the biggest factor].”
This season featured a more composed team than last season, which helped them win more games. “They’re calmer in their decisions,” Coach Pena said. “And I think composure is confidence.”
“When your team is more poised and more composed, I think that shows that they’re more confident in each other,” Coach Pena asserted. The confidence in each other that Coach Pena describes is the very difference that made the team more successful this season. Their attitude in prioritizing the team and the “we” helped them win more games.
Dimitri Clerc highlighted this mentality as the key to winning as well. “Compared to last season, [now] we’re all on the same page,” Clerc said of the team’s trust in each other. “Last year, there were times that we, everybody, was not on the same page. But this year, we’re one, and that makes the difference as a team.”
“I think we have such an unselfish attitude because I do believe our kids truly, truly love each other,” Coach Pena said of their teamwork. “We have our differences like every family does, but when we come together to compete, these kids will sacrifice for one another. They care for one another, and they are disappointed if they disappoint each other.”
“It [the team mentality] is very important, it is the main priority,” Clerc added. “No one player can make the team win. It has to be all together, and that’s when we win.”
Heading into the FCSAA tournament, the Pirates’ teamwork will be the key to winning once again. “I’m really confident on this team. We’re really good,” Clerc described his belief in the team heading into the tournament. “We already beat the best teams over there [participating in the tournament] so I’m confident.”
